Monday, October 27, 2008
'Holy shit' would be the understatement of the millennium for this past weekend.
Friday, Anavan celebrated the release of their beyond-brilliant new album Cover Story at The Smell with Captain Ahab who also was celebrating the release of a new 12" single, which we quickly snatched up as well. Both bands are easily two of the best Los Angeles has to offer but when they team up for one night it's like their forming Voltron or something. Actually, more like Voltron and Superion forming SuperVoltrion. Regardless, it was one of the best shows we've seen this year. Photos up but video is what you probably need to see so we'll get that soon unless someone beats us to it. Anavan head out on a long Euro/UK tour in support of the new record (out 11/11) and Ahab are back at The Smell on 12/7.
Day two of this amazing weekend came with The Monolators Don't Dance album release show at Spaceland. The night can best be summed up in that half the Los Angeles music scene ended up on stage playing "Don't Dance" and "We Fell Dead" while the other half looked on in complete awe slash elation (but, of course, not dancing). There aren't enough bands in the world that do this music stuff just for the pure joy of it and The Monolators epitomize pure joy. Moreover, the image of Mary Monolator whacking that gong like a gay lumberjack (and by "gay" we do mean happy) will forever be burned on our hearts. The band has the November residency at the most perfect of all residency venues, pehrspace, with the one and only Sean Carnage at the helm. Guess where we'll be on Mondays? Pick up the new album at shows and online. Ms. Layabout's got the vids and we got some photos up.
Who knew a Halloween party could be so gosh darn fun? Sunday, we headed down to Saint Rocke for another Otik Records night and what a huge crowd of Halloweeners. The Lost Libraries (featuring former members of Golden Arms and Shoot Out the Lights) dressed up in zombie Navy petty officer uniforms before impressing everyone with their debut performance. The other bands waited until they took the stage to reveal their costumes. You Me & Iowa completed their Han Solo look with an impossibly to-the-note rendition of the Star Wars cantina theme song. Vaudeville rocked vintage "A-Team" wear that needed a little help with the 80's show's theme music otherwise we would have just called them Those Dudes That Never Get Into Hyde. And The Henry Clay People revisited last year's The Ronald Reagan People ensemble by adding Saddam Hussein and Barack Obama to the disturbingly funny cast of characters. Be sure to check them out at Little Radio on Halloween night for even more delightful tricks up their sleeves. The next Otik Records night is 11/16. Stay tuned for that. Photos yup.
So this week ends the month that was October. Residencies have been solid all month so get out there to see Manhattan Murder Mystery, Rademacher, and Kenan Bell tonight. Otherwise, Mike Stinson at Redwood. The Keyishe, Icy Lytes, and others open for Juiceboxxx. Thailand, The May Fire (who recently moved to Los Angeles), and Odd Modern at the Silverlake Lounge. And Warpaint down at Detroit... Tuesday, Becky Stark, The Shoe, and Harper Simon at Tangier. The Karabal Nightlife, I Make This Sound, Ema and the Ghosts, and The Shivers at The Echo. And weyou, The Youngs, and others do duos at Mr. T's Bowl... We love the sound that Spinnerette at Spaceland makes. War Tapes, Repeater, and Rozaline at Boardner's. Redcar at Molly Malone's. Mark Oliver Everett at Book Soup. Polar Goldie Cats, Avi Buffalo, and Voice on Tape at The Smell. And Juliette Commagere finishes off her Wednesday residency at Tangier... Thursday, Jenny Lewis, Beachwood Sparks, and Pierre de Reeder at the Orpheum. Fool's Gold opens for Fujiya & Miyagi at the Troubadour. Everest opens for Neil Young and Death Cab at the Forum. Les Blanks, Fol Chen, Marvelous Toy, The Voyeurs, and The Hectors at R Bar. Listing Ship at Hyperion Tavern. Avi Buffalo, Tommy Santee Klaws, and others at Echo Curio. And our ex-wife Lisa Hannigan does her first L.A. solo show at g'net.
In other news: Last week, we were handed a copy of the new David Garza record Dream Delay, due early next year. He's long been known as one of the finest singer-songwriters of his generation and this record further solidifies that praise. The album features guest vocals from Fiona Apple, Ministry's Al Jourgensen, and Sparta's Jim Ward and it's classic Garza with a touch of new (or perhaps neu!?) Garza. Industry kids should be in full scouting mode at his showcase at Largo on 11/13... On 11/1, BRMC will release their new album The Effects of 333. Check their website for all the ominous details... Speaking of 11/1, we're presenting a show that night at pehrspace. It's the first show we've done on our own since the small anniversary thing in July so you know we're anxious for this one. More details in a sec but be prepared for five of our favorites: Summer Darling, Hello Dragon, Useless Keys, Billygoat, and Blackbird.
We are so in love with you right now, L.A.
